Since entering Princeton Day School, all students are told that eating in carpeted areas of the school is not allowed. According to the 9th-grade Dean, Mr. Abid Shakoor, eating in carpeted areas “negatively impacts the school environment because if the carpet is left with trash, it affects students who come to this area to learn.” In addition, food is labeled as a potential lure for rodents or insects that could overrun the school. As someone who is terrified of insects, I share this concern. Despite that, I believe that simply banning food in those areas is not the best solution.
To address the concerns of deans and teachers, a good way to prevent crumbs on the carpet is to encourage responsibility between students. As high schoolers, it is extremely important to teach us about taking care of our community and shared spaces. I believe that we should be given the chance to clean up after ourselves instead of being simply denied the opportunity to become responsible. This privilege can be revoked if students fail to meet expectations.
In addition, having food or snacks around creates a comfortable environment where students can better concentrate on their tasks. With snacks, the school can even feel less restrictive and more welcoming for new students. Also, as an independent school, PDS expects a lot from its students in terms of academics and extra-curricular activities. Sometimes, time becomes an issue for many people. Allowing students to eat in areas like the library would enable them to eat while studying or doing homework. Clubs and other activities take place during both the longer and shorter lunch periods, making it challenging to travel to a non-carpeted area and set aside time to eat.
In the end, while I understand that the administration wants what is best for us, I believe they should have more confidence in students’ ability to act responsibly. With clear expectations and accountability, I am confident the majority of us will live up to the standards of cleanliness required to maintain these shared spaces.
